Opening week on The Upper Deschutes River delivered exceptional early season conditions. The mild winter and lower snowpack are making access easier than normal for this time of year, and our crew is reporting good fishing throughout the upper stretches. 

PMDs and caddis are starting showing up with classic morning sessions favoring smaller mayfly and midge patterns along with afternoon callibaetis activity around Little Lava Lake. 

Dry-dropper setups, attractor dries, and smaller nymph rigs are all working right now. Fish are holding tight to undercut banks, timber, seams, and softer structure throughout the meandering upper sections. Streamers and small sculpin patterns will be a good bet to move some of the larger browns around deeper cutbanks and wood.

The Upper D always feels a little wild this time of year and the next couple weeks should only continue improving as warmer weather pushes more consistent hatch activity and longer feeding windows throughout the system.

Recommended Dries:
Purple Haze #14-18, PMD Sparkle Dun #16-18, Elk Hair Caddis #14-16, Micro Chubby #12-14, Ant Patterns #12-16

Recommended Nymphs:
Perdigons #14-18, Zebra Midges #18-20, Jigged Pheasant Tails #14-16, Soft Hackle Olives #16-18, Hare’s Ears #14-16, Small Stonefly Nymphs #10-12